Vesakha (Buddha) Day Celebration & Parade

The Abbot of the Blue Lotus Buddhist Temple in Woodstock, Venerable Bhante Sujatha, and the Blue Lotus community of meditation practitioners invite the public to attend the annual Buddha Day Celebration in Woodstock, IL., on Saturday, May 19. The festivities will begin at 4 p.m. with a ceremony at the Blue Lotus Temple. This is also a celebration of the 16th anniversary of Bhante Sujatha’s work in McHenry County leading meditation programs and creating Blue Lotus from humble beginnings in the basement of the Unitarian Universalist Church.

A special lantern parade through downtown Woodstock will follow the indoor program. Hundreds of handmade, paper lotus lanterns will be carried around the Square, led by Sri Lankan and Indian drummers, the monastic gathering, and a statue of the Buddha carried on a litter. After the procession winds back to the Blue Lotus Temple, all are invited in for light refreshments. This is a wonderful opportunity to make new friends and greet old ones, to feel loving-kindness in action, and to be part of this growing Woodstock tradition. Public parking is available in nearby lots, but allow extra time to find a spot.

For more information, call Blue Lotus Temple at (815) 337-7378 or visit the Blue Lotus Temple.